Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Raiden.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My love for painting and lettering began in 2008 while doing some projects around the house. It quickly became a hobby, as I found it extremely relaxing and calming. In 2014, I started painting a little more and had a few co-workers ask me to make something for them. I did, and to my surprise, others began to ask me to make things for them. I began to make and sell more and more. In July of 2014, I decided to create a Facebook page for my little ‘side hobby’. I did this, mostly, because I didn’t want to annoy my friends with the constant posts about my specific interest. I had to have a name for the page and my co-worker, Julie, suggested the name The Canvas Sign. Since all my projects were on canvas, it seemed fitting. And so The Canvas Sign was created.
A month later, my neighbors were in the process of getting a new fence. I remember springing up out of bed at 6 am one-morning thinking, “I should have them save some fence panels for me!” Now, remember, this was fall of 2014 and ‘pallet signs’ were all the rage. My back yard was now filled with perfectly aged fence wood, that would make the cutest signs. I had so many plans and ideas and could not wait to get started. I needed some tools to put these projects into motion. I headed up to the local Wal-Mart. Yep, Wal-Mart. Not the best place to buy power tools, but I was a single mom at the time and on a budget. I remember so vividly, standing in that tool section of Wal-Mart, thinking to myself, “What am I doing? I shouldn’t be spending my money on all this stuff!” Feeling guilty about spending a $100 on a jigsaw, hand sander, and a drill, I tossed them in my cart anyway and went for it. It was gonna be ok! As it turns out, that was the best $100 I have ever spent!
With my new tools in hand, I started creating even more signs and selling them just as quickly as I could make them. Thankfully, I worked with about 25 women, who were so gracious to keep ordering things from me. The more I made, the more I posted and the more I sold. Soon after, one of my co-workers ordered a wooden door hanger on Etsy. It was at that point that I had to create a door hanger of my own. I was in love. It was now September/October of 2014 and my first door hanger was created. A pumpkin. These began selling like crazy.
Next was a Christmas Tree Door Hanger and an Ornament Door Hanger. With the dawn of the Paint and Sip businesses on the rise, I couldn’t help but think, my signs would be so much better to paint and so much more useful. I mean, who needs multiple random canvas signs of trees or wine glasses hanging up around their house? Right? Since I didn’t have a brick and mortar shop, I would need to do these in the homes of my customers. Which, I thought was way better for the customer anyway. After discussing it with a few friends and customers, I just decided to go for it. I put a post on Facebook, asking if anyone was interested in doing an in-home paint party (as I called it) and I got a booking! November 16, 2014, was my first party in Wylie, Texas. I loaded up my car and off I went. I didn’t even have stencils for my customers to use. I also didn’t know that most of them couldn’t draw a circle or paint words on their signs?! Naturally, I said, “I’ll do it for you” and from that moment on, that would become my niche. This is what would set my paint parties apart from the others. The customers would do what they could, and I would do the rest. One of the ladies from this first party (by the way, she is still coming to paint parties 4 1/2 years later!), booked a birthday party for her daughter a week later. Then, one of the parents from that party booked a party, and then another and another and another. People were loving this and so was I!
During that time period, I was working as a nurse at a busy OB-Gyn Practice in West Plano (OB-Gyn Associates of North Dallas, shout out!). I loved my job and I had been there for close to 18 years! I never had any intention of leaving. Nor did I ever have any intention of starting a business. I was just having fun and making a little extra money on the side. I thought, after the new year, orders and parties would slow down. They didn’t. By April of 2015, I was working so much and getting no sleep. Like seriously. No sleep! I didn’t care though. My adrenalin was going and it was all so exciting. As things got more and more difficult to juggle, I finally made the tough decision to cut down to part-time at my “real” job. This lasted for about six months. During that time, I got engaged and bought a house with my then fiancé, now husband. I made the toughest decision ever to leave my job of 18 years, my co-workers, my boss and my patients, all of whom I loved so much. I had that job my entire adult life. They were like family and I hated leaving, but I knew, in my heart, this was the next chapter in my life and I was ready!
It has been almost four years since I made that decision. Since then, I have continued to grow my business every year. I get to connect with so many amazing women and I have built so many wonderful relationships. You see, when you are welcomed into someone’s home, with their closest friends around, you build the type of relationships that people remember. They get to know you and you get to know them. You aren’t just some business, shuffling them in and out. You are a real person, helping them create something that is their own. You are watching their faces light up as they see their sign completed. They not only have a sign, but they also have all the memories of their friends and that night. Every season, when they pull that sign out, to hang on their front door, they will remember making it. That brings such joy to my life. Painting is very therapeutic; I love sharing and teaching others to relax and enjoy the process. I believe the relationships that I have made while doing this has been the key to my business’ success. Over the years, as my business has grown, I have added three amazing ladies/artists to my team, as well as, my husband, who is now the official woodworker.
In 2018, I created a website and slightly rebranded to Canvas Sign Designs. I have recently launched my Hand Lettering classes, which start March of 2019 and are already in huge demand. I am also in the process of creating a blog, YouTube channel and some online courses and eBooks. With a 22 year old (soon to be a Texas Tech graduate in May), a 13 year old and a very busy 16-month-old (all girls) and the most amazing husband anyone could ever ask for, I am blessed beyond measure. I am also crazy busy 95% of the time! Owning a business means wearing 20 different hats at all times, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have learned so much, and I try to appreciate all the wonderful opportunities I have been given (and worked my butt off for). I am thankful for every customer that has had faith in me and for my super supportive family. Trust me, they have put up with a lot! I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Canvas Sign Designs!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
For the most part, things have been pretty smooth. I have allowed everything to unfolded in a very organic way. The biggest struggle for me is finding a way to juggle all the different roles you have to play when you are a business owner. It is difficult to focus on any one thing because you are constantly being pulled in many different directions. It can get quite overwhelming at times. I just do my best to maintain a calm and peaceful vibe and remember that everything doesn’t have to be perfect.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Canvas Sign Designs – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in hand painted and hand lettered door hangers. I sell these on Etsy and on my website. We also do in home Paint parties for all occasions. We basically bring everything needed to paint, to the customer’s home. Each guest chooses a project/design to paint beforehand. All guests are able to choose their own design. We bring all the necessary supplies for each design. The customer is able to choose their own colors and wording. They paint as much of their sign as they can (usually the foundation colors), then when they are done, we pretty it up. We add all the details, accents, we ‘fix’ or ‘touch up’ any areas that are less than perfect. We hand letter all the writing on the signs as well. No stencils. We completely transform them as the customers watch. They call it “magic.” They are able to leave with an amazing sign, no matter what their level of creativity is.
I also do hand lettering, brush lettering and faux calligraphy classes. I do these in-home and also hold public classes at a few different venues monthly.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am currently working on a Blog, YouTube channel, designing a few different fonts, online courses for both painting and lettering and an eBook on lettering.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.CanvasSign.com
- Email: customerservice@canvassign.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/CanvasSignDesigns
- Facebook: Facebook.com/myCanvasSign
- Other: Pinterest.com/CanvasSignDesigns Etsy.com/shop/TheCanvasSign
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